BT, Nortel Networks to Conduct European 3G/UMTS Trials

date: 18th January 2001, source: cellular.co.za

Continuing to develop technologies and solutions for third generation (3G) wireless communications, Nortel Networks and BT today announced the trial of prototype 3G/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) equipment and terminals with the purpose of further understanding the market and technology drivers for future mobile IP data and voice services. The trial will be conducted at BT's research centre in Martlesham, Suffolk.

Sohail Qadri, BT's director of Mobility said: ``We want to try to simulate as realistically as possible the way real customers will use third generation services as they become available. This means we have not only to certify that the technology works, but more importantly also understand how content providers, wireless operators, and customers will interact with each other as mobile multimedia services evolve. This trial will be a key element to success in the UMTS marketplace.''

Nortel Networks and Panasonic, which recently formed an alliance to develop 3G wireless voice and data solutions, will provide the radio equipment, core data network, and terminals for the trial. A high speed IP data connection - featuring Nortel Networks' Multiservice Passport platform - will interconnect the trial equipment to BTs intranet, allowing data rates of up to 384 kbps. Nortel Networks will also contribute public and private IP data networking expertise from the recently acquired Bay Networks.

BT will be able to test a variety of innovative data and voice services using prototype terminal equipment that will be representative of the first generation of commercially available 3G devices.

Among the several devices to be tested is a mobile phone with built-in camera and video screen, capable of transmitting and receiving data at rates of up to 64 kbps. Other trial devices include pocket sized, light weight voice terminals, wireless data modems for laptops and other portable data devices, as well as a prototype mobile device with transmission speeds of up to 384 kbps.

Business and consumer applications will be considered for the trial. Participants, for example, could hold live video communications sessions utilizing the mobile video phones. Trial participants will also be able to take advantage of BTs ``Virtual Home Environment'' laboratory by evaluating how content traditionally used in the wireline internet environment works in the mobile arena.

``Many wireless operators and other entrepreneurs are now seriously analyzing the 3G business case,'' said Pascal Debon, president, GSM Solutions, Nortel Networks. ``They are looking for trials that will allow them to gather real world consumer behavior data which can guide them in the investment and deployment of 3G networks worldwide.''

The UK trial with BT follows a similar trial announcement in Canada last year between Nortel Networks and the North American GSM Alliance, LLC.

The next generation of networking will call upon skills, technology and experience from many different disciplines to create hybrid networks optimized for different applications. These will be the Unified Networks of the future and will draw on expertise in all areas of access, transport, and applications technologies. Nortel Networks is uniquely positioned to deliver Unified Networks' solutions and is the only company with the expertise in all areas of these technologies, including IP, to build the Unified Networks of the future.

top